Return to The City Of Scars

The Dinner Party

The night came quickly, Jack found himself leaving the luggage with some henchs and turned to the squad, none of them too thrilled they were being treated like the hired help. "It's only temporary," He'd told them which it was, and then he slipped into the limo with Brianna. Ash and Tiana were already there when Jack closed the door behind them. Tiana snapped her fingers at the driver who immediately departed for Gotham.

The drive wasn't long, an hour at most. Jack watched as Brianna stared out the window, watching the city change into that of her Gotham. Jack hadn't ever really seen what she saw in the city, but it was home to her as much as Los Santos was home to him. Brianna's eyes would have the occasional flicker and she'd smile and mutter to herself after they began the drive through Gotham. Repressed memories, he supposed. He knew she'd start remembering things, he just wished it wouldn't happen so fast. It was only a matter of time before she remembered too much and would snap completely. The utter overload of memories would ultimately destroy her if she remembered more. Especially like who killed her the first time. Jack bit his lip the entire drive feeling it become numb as worry grew within him. Ash caught his eye and flashed him a warning look. He quickly regained his composure and liked his lip before staring out the opposite window. Soon enough, they arrived at the hotel. Jack handed Brianna a pair of sunglasses and a hat, both which she thought were completely unnecessary, and made their way into the hotel. Five minutes later, they were in their room. Another ten and the squad entered all complaining about being cramped in with the henchmen. Brianna barked at them to shut it and surprisingly, they all did. Jack bit back a chuckle, her leader side was showing. Jack didn't hesitate, he walked into the en suite bathroom and jumped in the shower, appearing fifteen minutes later drying his hair and half dressed. He finished buttoning up his shirt before he slipped on his shoes and suit jacket. Brianna handed him his tie which he hastily put on before joining Josh and Delgado at the door. Brianna walked over and kissed his cheek, "Have fun." She murmured, Jack nodded, "Business isn't that fun princess." Brianna snickered, "Yeah, just try not to kill my brother while your there." Jack chuckled, giving her a quick hug before he left.

The limo ride was dull. His arrival to the Grin And Bare It, however, was not. Cameras flashed from the shadows, the Joker's men on guard pursued each photographer and beat the living shit out of them before breaking the cameras and threatening the photographers. Jack entered the club to see Jasen Frost waiting. He turned and greeted him with a small smile and short bow. "Mr. Carsen, right this way." He lead Jack, Delgado and Josh (both of whom were dressed as security with shades to hide their eyes. Jasen lead them into a formal section of the club before walking to the golden elevator. The ride up was quiet, then when the door opened to reveal the lavish penthouse that was the Joker's Headquarters. Jasen escorted them to the dining room where the table was set and Jack saw the many of Joker's allys seated, each having a pair of henchmen behind them. Jack held his breath before he walked to his seat, Delgado and Josh behind him. Josh almost stopped when he spotted his father seated at the table with Harley Quinn. Delgado gave him a firm shove, "Vamos." He growled softly, Josh obeyed and took his place behind Jack. Delgado surveyed the room. He narrowed his eyes when he saw him. The infamous Prince Of Gotham. Ethan. Ethan wore a royal purple tux with gold trim, matching his father. His eyes softened when his eyes fell on Harley Quinn, getting up to meet Jonny Frost who held the young princess in his arms. Delgado moved his gaze to Ethan again. The prince watched his mother and younger sister with a look that Delgado knew to well. He would stop at nothing to keep his sister safe. He feared losing his new younger sister like he'd lost his twin. Delgado pitied him, Ethan only wanted to do what was best for his little sister. Delgado didn't need to know Ethan well, he knew in that moment that he saw the look in the prince's eyes that they were far from different. They were the same.

Within the hour, Jack was already wishing he was back at the suite in bed. The dinner party had gotten rather dull, that was until Nikki Dent spoke up, "So- Jack, how was prison? Word was they stuck you in a hole and threw away the hole." Jack almost choked, Ash and Tiana shared a worried look, Ash opened her mouth, "Jack you don't have to-" Jack cleared his throat and shook his head, "No, relax Ashley. I'm fine." He turned to Nikki, "Pretty much. The place was a nightmare. Took a lot to break myself out." Ash raised an eyebrow but Jack shot her a warning look. Tiana remained silent before she spoke up, "What about the others that helped break you out Jack? What happened to them?" Jack whipped his head around, "We went our separate ways, Tiana- you know that. Don't press the matter further." He warned, Tiana narrowed her eyes at him in slight anger before going back to her food. Jack turned back to Nikki, "It was a nightmare. Some high security prison in Southern Florida." Ethan huffed from across the table, "Definitely sounds like one," He murmured. "But at least it wasn't Belle Reve." Jack nodded in agreement. "It was damn close," He muttered, "I just got lucky they didn't have an opening."

Brianna sat on the king sized bed in the suite, playing cards with the girls while simultaneously doing each others nails. Winter was doing her nails an icy sky blue, while Sasha went for a reddish beige. Ginger held Brianna's hand, polishing her nails with a coat of emerald green while she played cards with Gravity and Cierra. Ginger was running Brianna through the cards they had memorized on the car ride home- even though Brianna was essentially ignoring every word. "Your best friend?" Ginger asked, Brianna sighed, "My twin brother. But at the same time you." Ginger smiled nodding, "Good. Now your sure that you'll be ready for the gala tomorrow?" Brianna huffed, "Of course." Ginger chuckled, "Thank goodness its actually a masquerade. I don't think we'd get in if it wasn't." Brianna shrugged, "I'm learning more about that witch's magic, so maybe I could have done something. Though it'd probably be temporary, and extremely difficult." Ginger hummed in agreement, going back to working on her nails, Brianna looked back at her cards, before putting them down, "Blackjack." Cierra and Gravity groaned and Gravity took a swig of the wine bottle next to her. "Damn you," She muttered. Cierra laughed, "I haven't had this much fun since Delgado and I were kids." Brianna frowned, "What do you mean?" Cierra sighed, "We were on the run after our parents died. After dad, they wanted to run tests on us. We bailed from the foster home and been on the run since before I remember. I was only three when Delgado broke us out." The girls were silent after hearing Cierra's story. Cierra cleared her throat and smiled, "Anyways- let's continue- Brianna, you won?" 

It was past midnight when Jack finally made it back to the hotel. He entered the suite with Josh and Delgado and walked over to the bed only to see it had been completely overrun by the girls. Jack groaned and tossed his jacket on the sofa in the room and collapsed onto the cushions. Out of the corner of is eye he saw Josh and Delgado shed themselves of their formal wear, leaving them in boxers and their dress shirts. Jack gave a small sigh and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him into the dark abyss where he would lurk until he awoke at dawn.